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Abnormal Mini-Cog test results linked to higher complication risk for geriatric patients with fractures
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Investigators of this study found more than one-third of geriatric patients with fractures who took the Mini-Cog test had cognitive impairment at admission and this group had more in-house complications and a tendency for early mortality.
Researchers performed the Mini-Cog examination on 739 geriatric patients with fractures admitted to two level-1 trauma centers and co-managed with orthopedic trauma and geriatric services. Investigators also conducted an observational study which recorded preinjury functional status, in-hospital complications, length of stay, 30-day readmission and mortality. All patients had 1-year follow-up.
Results showed 513 patients were able to take the Mini-Cog test and 35.1% of these patients had cognitive impairment. Investigators noted the rate of in-hospital medical complications was 28.6%. Higher chances for in-hospital complications were seen in patients with either abnormal Mini-Cog tests (2.16 odds ratio) or those who were unable to take the test (2.27 odds ratio) compared with patients who had normal Mini-Cog tests.
According to researchers, patients with abnormal Mini-Cog tests had a significantly increased chance of delirium. The mortality rate for all causes at 1 year after fracture was 18.1%. A higher risk of mortality at 1 year was seen only for patients who were unable to complete the Mini-Cog test after results were adjusted for age, sex, comorbidity and fracture type. ‒ by Monica Jaramillo
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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